For a child struggling with cultural identity or feeling like an outsider, this book offers a powerful journey of self-discovery. It tells the story of Ashley, a young English boy orphaned in China during the Japanese invasion. Fleeing into the mountains of Tibet, he is saved from near death by a tribe of Yetis who believe he is the king from their prophecies. The story explores deep themes of loneliness, belonging, and courage as Ashley must decide between the safety and reverence of his new life and the violent, uncertain human world he left behind. It’s an ideal adventure for thoughtful readers ready to contemplate what it truly means to find a home.
The story deals directly with themes of being an orphan, loneliness, and displacement.
Scary ScenesMild
Scenes of peril in the mountains and a confrontation with a snow leopard.
Sensitive Topics
The death of a guardian (Uncle Sung) is a direct, pivotal event, handled with sadness but not in a graphic way. The backdrop of war provides the inciting incident, but the violence is off-page. The resolution is bittersweet and hopeful; Ashley makes a mature choice that affirms his identity, but it involves leaving a place where he found acceptance. The book also touches on themes of colonialism and cultural difference in a metaphorical way.
Ideal Reader
A thoughtful 10 to 12-year-old who feels like they don't quite fit in, perhaps because of a move, cultural differences, or simply a feeling of being an outsider. They enjoy adventure and survival stories but are also ready to think about deeper questions of identity, responsibility, and the meaning of home.
Parent Prep
A parent might want to provide brief context about the Japanese invasion of China in the 1930s to ground the story's beginning. It would also be helpful to preview Uncle Sung's death in Chapter 4, and the suspenseful trial with the snow leopard. The book can be read cold, but historical context enriches the experience. The parent has heard their child say something like, "I don't belong here," or, "I wish there was a place where people really understood me." The child might be facing a big decision with no easy 'right' answer, or processing feelings of loneliness.
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will likely be captivated by the survival adventure: the majestic Yetis, the perilous mountain setting, and the exciting tests of courage. An older reader (11-12) will be more attuned to the complex emotional themes: Ashley's internal conflict, the moral dilemma of his choice, and the subtle commentary on faith and cultural misunderstanding.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many survival stories that pit a child against nature, this book intertwines survival with a profound question of belonging. The use of a mythological creature (the Yeti) as a fully realized, gentle society provides a unique fantasy lens to explore very real human themes of identity, faith, and the definition of 'civilization.' It's a blend of historical fiction, survival, and myth that is uniquely Morpurgo.
Read plot summary
Ashley, a 14-year-old English boy, is forced to flee his home in China during the 1930s Japanese invasion. His protector and guide, Uncle Sung, dies on their trek through the Himalayas, leaving Ashley to fend for himself. He is discovered, near death, by a tribe of Yetis. Due to his pale skin and blue eyes, they believe him to be the reincarnation of their king, as foretold in a prophecy. He is cared for and revered, but must also prove his worthiness by undertaking three dangerous trials. Ashley finds a sense of belonging but ultimately faces a choice: remain as king in the isolated, peaceful world of the Yetis, or return to the fraught world of humanity.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The Yetis believe Ashley is their king because of a prophecy. Do you think it was right for him to accept this role, even though he knew he wasn't really a king? Why or why not?
2
Ashley has to perform three tests of courage. Which test do you think was the most difficult for him, and was it his physical strength or his inner bravery that helped him succeed?
3
At the end, Ashley must choose between staying as a revered king with the Yetis or returning to the human world. What factors do you think were most important in his decision? What would you have chosen?
4
Ashley feels like an outsider in both worlds. What does the story say about what it means to truly belong somewhere? Is it a place, a people, or a feeling inside yourself?
